Puppy Teething: Timeline, Signs and How to Help Your Puppy
If your puppy is chewing everything in sight, teething is probably the reason. Here’s the puppy teething timeline, the signs, and how to help.
If your puppy is chewing everything in sight, teething is probably the reason. Puppy teething is a normal stage, and it's also the best time to start habits that keep your dog's mouth healthy for life. Here is the puppy teething timeline, the signs, and how to help.
Puppy teething timeline
| Age | What happens |
|---|---|
| 2–4 weeks | Baby (deciduous) teeth start coming in |
| 6–8 weeks | All 28 baby teeth are in |
| 12–16 weeks | Baby teeth start falling out; adult teeth push through |
| 4–6 months | Most chewing and teething discomfort |
| 6–7 months | All 42 adult teeth are usually in |
Signs your puppy is teething
- Chewing on everything, including hands and furniture
- Drooling more than usual
- Small spots of blood on toys
- Finding tiny baby teeth on the floor (most are swallowed, which is normal)
- Mild fussiness at mealtime
How to help a teething puppy
- Offer the right chew toys. Soft rubber teething toys, some chilled in the fridge. Avoid hard bones and antlers that can crack new teeth.
- Redirect, don't punish. Swap a hand or a shoe for a toy, then praise.
- Keep meals easy. Soak kibble in warm water for a few minutes if your puppy seems sore.
- Supervise chewing and remove toys that break into small pieces.
When to call your vet
Call your vet if a baby tooth is still in place once the adult tooth has come in beside it (a "retained" baby tooth), if your puppy stops eating, or if a tooth looks broken or discolored.
Start dental care early
Teething is the perfect time to get your puppy used to having its mouth handled. Touch the lips and gums gently for a few seconds a day, and introduce a soft finger brush once the adult teeth are in. See our guide: How to Clean Your Dog's Teeth at Home.
Once your puppy is an adult dog, many owners add a daily dental topper to breakfast alongside brushing. KOPO Dog Dental Powder supports fresh breath and healthy teeth and gums, with kelp, probiotics, blueberry and cranberry in a beef flavor dogs love. Check the label directions and ask your vet before giving supplements to a young puppy.
Written by the KOPO Pet team
KOPO formulates real-food dog supplements in an FDA-registered US facility. Articles are reviewed by the formulation team against AAFCO nutrient profiles and current veterinary nutrition literature. This guide is educational and does not replace advice from your veterinarian.
- Made in the USA
- Third-party lab tested
- AAFCO-referenced
Ready to close the gap?
Two scoops over breakfast, nose to tail.
The Complete Care Duo pairs the multivitamin from this guide with KOPO Dental Powder. Subscribe and save up to 42% against buying both jars one-time. Free U.S. shipping.
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